FY2004 End of Year Accomplishments

FY2004 End of Year Accomplishments

Press Release

Numbers at a Glance

Case Highlights

Civil Cases

Criminal Cases

Compliance     Assistance Activities

One Billion Pounds Less Pollution

In fiscal year 2004, EPA enforcement activities resulted in legal commitments by companies, governments and other regulated entities to reduce, treat or properly manage approximately 1 billion pounds of pollution. FY2004 is the second-highest year on record for EPA pollution reduction results. These are conservative estimates of the reductions that will be achieved for one year when the facilities that have entered into legally enforceable agreements with EPA have met all their obligations under the agreements. Since the facilities will continue to operate for many years after coming into compliance, the pollution reductions will be repeated annually.

FY2004 was a record year for EPA in injunctive relief--$4.8 billion, which is the amount of money committed by violators to correct violations, restore the environment and prevent future harm to human health and the environment.

For highlights of EPA's year in enforcement and compliance assistance, see the box upper right.

Some other environmental benefits gained in FY2004 are:

• People protected by Safe Drinking Water Act enforcement: 4 million


• Wetlands mitigated: 1,300 acres


• Stream miles mitigated: 34 thousand feet


• Contaminated soil to be cleaned up: 3.4 million cubic yards.


• Contaminated water to be cleaned: 9.5 million cubic yards.

Supplemental environmental projects (SEPs) increased 42 percent over the last year to 213, valued at $48 million SEPs are environmentally beneficial projects that a violator voluntarily agrees to perform as part of an enforcement settlement. In FY2004, 26 of these projects were specifically designed to promote environmental justice.

EPA charged 293 defendants with environmental crimes in FY2004.

EPA helped more than 730,000 businesses and individuals comply with environmental requirements.

Inspections, civil investigations and facilities self-disclosing violations increased in FY2004.

For further information

FY 2004 End of Year Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Results Summary (PDF 371 KB, 16 pages)

Press Release

Numbers at a Glance

Five-Year Trend Charts (PDF 199 KB, 3 pages)

Enforcement and Compliance Case Highlights